OAKLAND, Calif. — The Golden State Warriors increased their lead over the Los Angeles Clippers to 10 games Sunday, handing the defending Pacific Division champions a 106-98 nationally televised defeat.
The win was the second in three meetings this season for the Warriors over the Clippers, who squared off in the first round of the 2014 playoffs after finishing 1-2 in the Pacific. Getting Game 7 at home in that series, Los Angeles won the best-of-seven 4-3.
The Clippers played Sunday without star power forward Blake Griffin (elbow infection) and Sixth Man of the Year candidate Jamal Crawford (calf contusion). They had combined for 42 points and 22 rebounds in the clubs’ most recent matchup, a 100-86 Clippers home win on Christmas Day.
Sunday’s result was the 10th straight win by the home team in the California rivalry. The Warriors have beaten the Clippers seven in a row in Oakland.
Power forward Draymond Green had 23 points, and guards Klay Thompson and Shaun Livingston contributed 21 apiece as the Warriors (49-12) wrapped up a perfect three-game homestand with their 27th win in 29 home games this season.
The Warriors haven’t lost a home game to a Western Conference team since Nov. 11.
Golden State was able to win easily despite an uncharacteristically unproductive day from standout point guard Stephen Curry. The Most Valuable Player candidate was held to 12 points and four assists in his matchup with fellow All-Star guard Chris Paul.
Paul recorded a 14-point, 11-assist double-double for the Clippers (40-23), who were playing their fifth road game in their last six outings. L.A. had won its previous three road games.
Green had 10 of his 23 points in the third quarter, during which Golden State broke the game open, outscoring the Clippers 30-18 to go up 19, 87-68, entering the final period.
Green (8-for-15), Thompson (9-for-13) and Livingston (9-for-14) all hit better than half their shots, as the Warriors dropped in an even 50.0 percent of their attempts overall and 10 of their 22 3-pointers. Green and Thompson each made three 3’s.
The win was the 49th of the season for the Warriors, giving them 49 or more wins in consecutive seasons for the first time in franchise history. Golden State went 51-31 last year when it finished six games behind the Clippers in the Pacific.
Small forward Harrison Barnes had 10 points and eight rebounds for the Warriors, who complete a back-to-back Monday night at Phoenix.
Reserve guard Austin Rivers had 22 points and shooting guard JJ Redick 18 for the Clippers, who currently reside in the fifth playoff position in the Western Conference.
Backup forward Hedo Turkoglu hit four 3-pointers to account for all of his 12 points, and center DeAndre Jordan snatched a game-high 14 rebounds for the Clippers, who return home Monday night to face Minnesota.
The Warriors never trailed after a 13-2 burst late in the second quarter turned a one-point deficit into a 50-40 lead. Livingston came off the bench to have seven of his 21 points in the run, during which the Clippers missed six of their seven shots over a 3:39 span.
Golden State led 57-50 at halftime, having outscored the Clippers 18-6 on 3’s at that point.
NOTES: The Clippers announced before the game the signing of veteran PG Nate Robinson to a 10-day contract. The 30-year-old averaged 5.8 points and 2.3 assists in 33 games for Denver earlier this season. … Clippers coach Doc Rivers reiterated before the game he has no idea when star PF Blake Griffin will return from his elbow infection. “This is serious stuff,” he insisted. “There is no timetable.” … Warriors coach Steve Kerr hasn’t conceded the Defensive Player of the Year to Clippers C DeAndre Jordan, saying of his own PF Draymond Green, “He’s the modern day Dennis Rodman.”